Modular Architecture

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses a modular architecture. The modular architecture comprises a first main part and a first extended part. The first main part comprises a first main side, a second main side, a first sub side, a second sub side, and a first empty room. The first extended part can be stowed in the first empty room, or be extended from the first main side of the first main part to increase the interior space of the modular architecture. The second main side of the first main part has at least one connecting frame, and the first sub side or the second sub side has a side connecting frame. The connecting frame or the side connecting frame is used to connect the architecture to connecting frames of other modular architectures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a modular architecture; moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a modular architecturecapable of extending its interior space as well as being horizontallyconnected to or vertically stacked on other modular architectures.

2. Description of the Related Art

Currently, there are still some unevenly-formed plots of landdistributed in urban areas. These unevenly-formed plots cannot be usedto build new architectures due to insufficient space or some propertydisputes. In order to utilize these unevenly-formed spaces, people couldset up simple architectures, such as modular/prefabricated houses orcontainer houses, to increase residential space. On the other hand, if anatural disaster such as an earthquake or typhoon occurs, this kind ofsimple architecture can also be utilized to quickly build modular housesto meet the urgent need for residential space.

In known prior arts, the available interior space of this kind ofarchitecture is basically equal to the interior space of its main part.Therefore, the interior space of each architecture is fixed, with onlyvery limited space for extension. Further, the application of this kindof architecture is inflexible, and the combinations of thesearchitectures are limited. Moreover, the appearance of an assembledsystem of these architectures is ordinary. In addition, in known priorarts, this kind of architecture is very inconvenient for people toassemble, disassemble, or even transport.

Further, in known prior arts, these modular architectures are usuallybuilt only one story high due to the structural design. There are nomodular architectures built with two stories by way of stacking in knownprior arts.

Therefore, there is a need to provide a novel modular architecture tomitigate and/or obviate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a modulararchitecture capable of extending its interior space.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a modulararchitecture capable of being assembled by means of stacking.

To achieve the abovementioned objects, the modular architecture of thepresent invention comprises a first main part and a first extended part.The first main part comprises a first main side, a second main side, afirst sub side, a second sub side, and a first empty room. The firstextended part can be stowed in the first empty room of the first mainpart, or it can be extended from the first main side of the first mainpart to increase the interior space of the modular architecture. Thesecond main side of the first main part further has at least oneconnecting frame, and the first sub side or the second sub side can alsohave a side connecting frame. The first main part can be freelyconnected to other modular architectures via the connecting frame or theside connecting frame.

To achieve another abovementioned object, the modular architecture ofthe present invention comprises a first main part, a first extendedpart, a second main part, a second extended part, and a supportingassembly. The first main part comprises a first main side, a second mainside, a first sub side, a second sub side, and a first empty room. Thesecond main part is stacked on the first main part. The second main partcomprises a third main side, a fourth main side, a third sub side, afourth sub side, and a second empty room. The first extended part isconnected to the first main side, and the second extended part isconnected to the third main side.

The first extended part and the first main part can be arranged ineither a stowed status or an extended status. In the stowed status, thefirst extended part is stowed in the first empty room; in the extendedstatus, the first extended part is extended from the first main side.The second extended part and the second main part can be arranged ineither a stowed status or an extended status. In the stowed status, thesecond extended part is stowed in the second empty room; in the extendedstatus, the second extended part is extended from the third main side.

The supporting assembly is used for supporting the second main part orthe second extended part. The supporting assembly comprises a pluralityof pillars, a plurality of transverse struts, and a plurality of obliquestruts.

Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description when takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following description of the accompanyingdrawings, which disclose several embodiments of the present invention.It is to be understood that the drawings are to be used for purposes ofillustration only, and not as a definition of the invention.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference numerals denote similarelements throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a first architecture accordingto the present invention.

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate schematic drawings showing the process ofextending a first extended part from a first main part according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a modular architecture duringan assembly process according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic drawing showing applications of themodular architecture according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view showing the first architectureassembled with a supporting assembly according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the modular architectureaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the modular architecture according toone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view showing the first architectureassembled with the supporting assembly according to another embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of the modular architectureaccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of the modular architecture according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic drawing showing an extended part movingfrom a stowed status to an extended status by means of utilizing an oilhydraulic cylinder according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of the modular architecture witha large-size connecting frame according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates a schematic drawing showing the connection of themodular architecture according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Please refer to FIG. 1, which illustrates a perspective view of a firstarchitecture according to the present invention. The size and volume ofthe first architecture 10 is preferably associated with that of ageneral container for easy transportation. For example, the firstarchitecture 10 can be a long architecture, a short architecture, or asmall architecture. In this embodiment, the first architecture 10 is along architecture. The first architecture 10 comprises a first main part20 and a first extended part 30. The first main part 20 comprises afirst main side 21, a second main side 22, a first sub side 23, and asecond sub side 24. The first main side 21, the second main side 22, thefirst sub side 23, and the second sub side 24 are four faces of thefirst main part 20, such that these four faces can form a first emptyroom 25 (as shown in FIG. 2) of the first main part 20.

Please refer to FIG. 1 as well as FIGS. 2A-2C. FIGS. 2A-2C illustrateschematic drawings showing the process of extending the first extendedpart from the first main part according to the present invention. Thefirst extended part 30 is connected to the first main side 21. The firstextended part 30 can be stowed in the first empty room 25 (as shown inFIG. 2A), or it can be extended from the first main side 21 of the firstmain part 20 (as shown in FIG. 2C). If the first extended part 30 isextended from the first main side 21, the interior space of the firstarchitecture 10 can be increased accordingly.

More precisely, the first extended part 30 and the first main part 20can be arranged in two implementations. The first implementation refersto a stowed status, as shown in FIG. 2A; the first extended part 30 isstowed in the first empty room 25 of the first main part 20. If there isa need to extend the first architecture 10, the first extended part 30can be pushed out from the first main side 21 of the first main part 20.After a first protruding part 61 of the first main side 21 of the firstmain part 20 and a second protruding part 62 of the first extended part30 are wedged with each other, the first extended part 30 and the firstmain part 20 are arranged in the second implementation, as shown in FIG.2C, which refers to an extended status. For example, an oil hydraulicdevice can be used to drive the first extended part 30 to move from thestowed status to the extended status; or from the extended status to thestowed status.

Please refer to FIG. 11, which illustrates a schematic drawing showingan extended part moving from a stowed status to an extended status bymeans of utilizing an oil hydraulic cylinder according to the presentinvention. In this embodiment, two oil hydraulic cylinders 40 areinstalled in the exterior of the first extended part 30, wherein eachoil hydraulic cylinder 40 comprises a telescopic arm 42. One end (whichis the right end as shown in FIG. 11) of the oil hydraulic cylinder 40is mounted to a fixed position (such as a wall); while the other end(which is the left end as shown in FIG. 11) of the oil hydrauliccylinder 40 is connected to the first extended part 30. When thetelescopic arm 42 of the oil hydraulic cylinder 40 gradually extends,the telescope arm 42 drives the first extended part 30 to gradually moveto the stowed status. When the telescopic arm 42 of the oil hydrauliccylinder 40 gradually shrinks, the telescopic arm 42 drives the firstextended part 30 to gradually move to the extended status. Please notethat the structure of driving the first extended part 30 is not limitedto an oil hydraulic cylinder, and that the installation position is notlimited to the above description.

Please return to FIG. 1. The second main side 22 of the first main part20 further has a plurality of connecting frames 221, 222, and 223. Thefirst sub side 23 or the second sub side 24 can also has at least oneside connecting frame 231. The first main part 20 can be freelyconnected to connecting frames of other modular architectures via theplurality of connecting frames 221, 222, and 223 or the side connectingframe 231. The first main part 20 can be designed in different sizes andconnected via the connecting frame.

Please note that the number and area of the connecting frames of thesecond main side 22 is not limited to the above description. Forexample, the second main side 22 can have only one or two connectingframes. Further, the connecting frame can be a large-sized connectingframe (as shown in FIG. 12), wherein its total area is larger thanthree-fourths of the total area of the second main side 22. Thelarge-sized connecting frame is especially suitable for businesspurposes.

One of the preferred embodiments of utilizing the connecting frame toconnect to the first architecture will be described hereinafter. Pleaserefer to both FIG. 1 and FIG. 3. FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective viewof the modular architecture during an assembly process according to thepresent invention. In this embodiment, the first architecture 10 is along architecture, the first architecture 40′ is a short architecture,and the first architecture 40 is a small architecture. The connectingframe 223 of the first architecture 10 is connected to the sideconnecting frame of the first architecture 40′, and the side connectingframe 231 of the first architecture 10 is connected to the connectingframe of the first architecture 40. By means of utilizing the connectingframe of each modular architecture to connect the architectures to eachother, an assembled system can be formed accordingly, thereby enlargingthe scope of the architecture. Next, please refer to FIG. 4, whichillustrates a schematic drawing showing applications of the modulararchitecture according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, theconnecting frames 221, 222, and 223 or the side connecting frame 231 notonly can be used to connect to the connecting frames of otherarchitectures, but also can be used to connect to other assemblycomponents 50. For example, the assembly component 50 can be, but is notlimited to, a sunshade 51, a deck 52, or a door panel. The assemblycomponent 50, such as the sunshade 51 or the deck 52, is not limited tobe connected to only one connecting frame; it can be connected to two ormore connecting frames at the same time according to a user'srequirement.

Please refer to FIGS. 5-7. FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view showingthe first architecture assembled with a supporting assembly according toone embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 illustrates aperspective view of the modular architecture according to one embodimentof the present invention; and FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of themodular architecture according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. The modular architecture 1 of the present invention can beassembled with two architectures by means of vertically stacking, so asto form a two-story architecture. The modular architecture 1 comprisesthe first architecture 10, a second architecture 10′, and a supportingassembly 80. The first architecture 10 comprises the first main part 20and the first extended part 30. The second architecture 10′ comprises asecond main part 20′ and a second extended part 30′. In this embodiment,the structure of the first architecture 10 is identical to that of thesecond architecture 10′, but please note that the scope of the presentinvention is not limited to the above description.

The second main part 20′ is stacked on the first main part 20. Thesecond main part 20′ comprises a third main side 21′, a fourth main side22′, a third sub side 23′, a fourth sub side 24′, and a second emptyroom 25′. The second extended part 30′ is connected to the third mainside 21′. In this embodiment, the first main side 21 and the third mainside 21′ face opposite directions. That is, the first extended part 30and the second extended part 30′ are extended along opposite directions.Because the structure of the second architecture 10′ is identical orsimilar to that of the first architecture 10, there is no need todescribe the characteristics of the second architecture 10′ in detail.

The supporting assembly 80 is connected to the first main part 20 andthe second main part 20′, and the supporting assembly 80 is used forsupporting the second main part 20′ or the second extended part 30′.

In order to easily and stably stack the second architecture 10′ on thefirst architecture 10, the first main part 20 and the second main part20′ respectively have a plurality of insertion grooves 28 (as shown inFIG. 7) arranged in their corners. Further, the supporting assembly 80comprises a plurality of pillars 82 (as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7). Theshape of the plurality of pillars 82 corresponds to that of theplurality of insertion grooves 28; therefore, the plurality of pillars82 can be placed in the plurality of insertion grooves 28 of the firstmain part 20 and the second main part 20′.

In this embodiment, each insertion groove 28 is in the shape of arectangle, and each pillar 82 is a square pillar. As shown in FIG. 7,the upper portions of the four pillars 82 are placed in the fourinsertion grooves 28 of the bottom corners of the second main part 20′,and the lower portions of these four pillars 82 are placed in the fourinsertion grooves 28 of the top corners of the first main part 20.Therefore, the second main part 20′ can be stably stacked on the firstmain part 20.

Further, in order to make the modular architecture 1 more stable anddurable, the supporting assembly 80 further comprises a plurality oftransverse struts 84 and a plurality of oblique struts 86. One part ofthe transverse strut 84 is connected to the pillar 82, and the otheroutwardly extended part of the transverse strut 84 and its connectedoblique strut 86 are used for supporting the second extended part 30′(as shown in FIG. 6).

Moreover, in order to avoid or reduce the inconvenience of landpreparation, the modular architecture 1 further comprises a fixationboard 90 and a plurality of stands 70. The fixation board 90 is directlylaid on the ground, and the lower ends of the plurality of stands 70 aremounted to the fixation board 90. The plurality of stands 70 are usedfor supporting the first main part 20 or the first extended part 30. Inthe embodiment as shown in FIG. 7, auxiliary struts 86 a are disposedbetween the first extended part 30 and the stands 70. Therefore, thestands 70 are capable of supporting both the first main part 20 and thefirst extended part 30 at the same time.

Next, please refer to FIGS. 8-10. FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective viewshowing the first architecture assembled with the supporting assemblyaccording to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9illustrates a perspective view of the modular architecture according toanother embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 illustrates a sideview of the modular architecture according to another embodiment of thepresent invention.

With regard to the modular architecture 1 a of this embodiment, thefirst main side 21 of the first main part 20 and the third main side 21′of the second main part 20′ face the same direction. That is, the firstextended part 30 and the second extended part 30′ are extended along thesame direction. Further, the positions of the transverse struts 84 andthe oblique struts 86 of the supporting assembly 80 are slight differentfrom those described in the previous embodiment. More precisely, theoutwardly extended transverse struts 84 are located between the firstextended part 30 and the second extended part 30′ at the extended status(as shown in FIG. 9), such that the transverse struts 84 and theirconnected oblique struts 86 can support the second extended part 30′.

Next, please refer to FIG. 13, which illustrates a schematic drawingshowing the connection of the modular architecture according to thepresent invention. A third main part 20 a′ can be flexibly connected tothe first main part 20 a via a connecting body with a passageway 100(such as the connection between two cars of a train).

Although the present invention has been explained in relation to itspreferred embodiments, it is to be understood that many other possiblemodifications and variations can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

1. A modular architecture, comprising: a first main part, comprising: afirst main side; a second main side; a first sub side; a second subside; and a first empty room; and a first extended part, connected tothe first main side, wherein the first extended part and the first mainpart are arranged in one of the following two statuses: a stowed status:wherein the first extended part is stowed in the first empty room; andan extended status: wherein the first extended part is extended from thefirst main side.
 2. The modular architecture as claimed in claim 1further comprising: a second main part, stacked on the first main part,the second main part comprising: a third main side; a fourth main side;a third sub side; a fourth sub side; and a second empty room; a secondextended part, connected to the third main side; and a supportingassembly, used for supporting the second main part or the secondextended part; wherein the second extended part and the second main partare arranged in one of the following statuses: a stowed status: whereinthe second extended part is stowed in the second empty room; and anextended status: wherein the second extended part is extended from thethird main side.
 3. The modular architecture as claimed in claim 2,wherein the first main part and the second main part respectively have aplurality of insertion grooves arranged in their corners.
 4. The modulararchitecture as claimed in claim 3, wherein the supporting assemblycomprises a plurality of pillars, where the plurality of pillars can beplaced in the plurality of insertion grooves of the first main part orthe second main part.
 5. The modular architecture as claimed in claim 4,wherein the supporting assembly further comprises a plurality oftransverse struts and a plurality of oblique struts.
 6. The modulararchitecture as claimed in claim 5 further comprising a plurality ofstands used for supporting the first main part or the first extendedpart.
 7. The modular architecture as claimed in claim 6 furthercomprising a fixation board, wherein the plurality of stands are mountedto the fixation board.
 8. The modular architecture as claimed in claim7, wherein the first main side further comprises a first protrudingpart, and the first extended part further comprises a second protrudingpart, such that the first protruding part and the second protruding partcan be wedged with each other when the first extended part is extendedfrom the first main side.
 9. The modular architecture as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the second main side further comprises at least oneconnecting frame.
 10. The modular architecture as claimed in claim 9,wherein the connecting frame is connected to an assembly component. 11.The modular architecture as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first mainpart further comprises at least one side connecting frame disposed tothe first sub side or the second sub side.
 12. The modular architectureas claimed in claim 9, wherein the total area of the at least oneconnecting frame is larger than three-fourths of the total area of thesecond main side.
 13. The modular architecture as claimed in claim 1further comprising: a third main part; and a connecting body with apassageway, allowing the second main part to be flexibly connected tothe first main part.
 14. The modular architecture as claimed in claim 1further comprising an oil hydraulic device, wherein the oil hydraulicdevice drives the first extended part to move along the first main partfrom the stowed status to the extended status.
 15. The modulararchitecture as claimed in claim 2 further comprising: a third mainpart; and a connecting body with a passageway, allowing the second mainpart to be flexibly connected to the first main part.
 16. The modulararchitecture as claimed in claim 2 further comprising an oil hydraulicdevice, wherein the oil hydraulic device drives the first extended partto move along the first main part from the stowed status to the extendedstatus.